LONDON (REUTERS) - British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed the importance of international maritime law in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday (Oct 19), May's office said in a statement.

"The Prime Minister reiterated the UK's firm commitment to the rules-based international system, including the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security, in line with international law," the statement issued following a meeting in Brussels added.

Last month, Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, saying Britain had engaged in "provocation".